Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive 2020 - Page 406


Page 406 of 512

The right thumb becomes the left arm

A research team has induced a re-association of the right thumb with a virtual left arm through visuo-motor synchronization in a virtual environment. The study contributes to understanding body schemes of augmented humans and their limitations. Body-part re-association may be applied to developing functional prosthesis and embodied tools.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalFrontiers in Robotics and AI·DateMar 19, 2020

Published consensus statement offers UTI treatment recommendations

A new consensus statement offers UTI treatment recommendations to reduce overdiagnosis and overtreatment, while protecting against antimicrobial resistance. The statement aims to help healthcare providers diagnose, treat, and prevent UTIs in PALTC residents, who face increased risks of bacterial colonization and infection.

SourceTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center·JournalJournal of the American Medical Directors Association·DateMar 19, 2020

Pembrolizumab shows promise for some advanced, hard-to-treat rare cancers

A Phase II study found pembrolizumab to be effective in treating four rare cancer types with acceptable toxicity profiles. The treatment resulted in a median non-progression rate of 28% at 27 weeks, with complete response rates varying between 31-43% for each cancer type.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalJournal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer·DateMar 19, 2020

Increasingly mobile sea ice risks polluting Arctic neighbors

New research from McGill University predicts a significant increase in Arctic sea ice movement by mid-century, leading to more widespread pollutant transport between neighboring countries. Thinner, faster-moving ice can carry pollutants and microplastics, posing a threat to Arctic waters.

SourceMcGill University·DateMar 19, 2020

How molecules self-assemble into superstructures

A research team of physicists and chemists from Kiel University mimicked self-assembly processes to fabricate various patterns of controllable sizes, including the largest structures reported so far. They developed a model of intermolecular forces driving the self-assembly, enabling control over pattern size.

SourceKiel University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 19, 2020

Melanoma is killing fewest Americans in decades

Death rates from metastatic melanoma dropped by nearly 18 percent between 2013 and 2016, thanks to new therapies that harness the immune system or target specific gene mutations. These advances in treatment have led to the largest yearly declines in deaths due to melanoma ever recorded.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateMar 19, 2020

Special issue of 'Neurochemical Research' honors Vittorio Gallo, Ph.D.

This special issue of Neurochemical Research honors Vittorio Gallo's groundbreaking research on glutamate neurotransmission, including his development of cerebellar granule cell cultures and biochemical assays. Gallo's work has had a lasting impact on our understanding of neural development and regeneration.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalNeurochemical Research·DateMar 19, 2020

Scientists learn how vampire bat strangers make friends

Researchers studied vampire bat social dynamics in captivity and found that trust builds over time through grooming and smaller mutual investments. Almost 15% of unfamiliar female adult bats formed food-sharing relationships after 15 months together, suggesting that even strangers can develop strong bonds.

SourceOhio State University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 19, 2020

Environment: Opening plastic bags and bottles may generate microplastics

A study published in Scientific Reports found that opening plastic packaging can generate small amounts of microplastics. The researchers monitored the generation of microplastics during tasks such as tearing open plastic bags and bottles, finding that different shapes and sizes of microplastics were produced.

SourceScientific Reports·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 19, 2020

'Domiciled' feeding studies will lead to new discoveries in human nutrition science

Domiciled feeding studies have the potential to revolutionize our understanding of dietary influences on health by providing controlled and standardized environments. By minimizing participant variability, these studies can elucidate complex interactions between diet changes, microbiota, and host physiology.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateMar 19, 2020

Maize, not metal, key to native settlements' history in NY

A Cornell University study re-dates Native American sites in the Mohawk Valley, revealing a more accurate historical timeline based on maize dating and statistical modeling. The findings challenge previous assumptions about trade practices and European contact.

SourceCornell University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 19, 2020

NIH study provides genetic insights into osteosarcoma in children

A recent NIH study has found that a significant proportion of children with osteosarcoma carry genetic variants associated with increased cancer risk. The researchers identified harmful or likely harmful variants in over a quarter of patients, highlighting the importance of genetic testing and screening for family members.

SourceNIH/National Cancer Institute·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateMar 19, 2020

New mechanism of optical gain in two-dimensional material requires only extremely low input power

Researchers discovered a new mechanism of optical gain in two-dimensional materials that requires only extremely low input power. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of energy-efficient photonic devices, potentially reducing the need for high electrical power.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateMar 19, 2020

Building a better color vision test for animals

Researchers have developed a mini movie theater to measure the color spectrum visible to fiddler crabs, revealing their ability to discriminate between different wavelengths of light. The device uses blue and green light-emitting diodes and tilted screens to stimulate the crabs' reaction.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalMethods in Ecology and Evolution·DateMar 19, 2020

Improving success of giraffe translocations

Researchers developed guidelines for giraffe translocations to ensure long-term population viability, including ideal group composition and decision-making processes. A founding population of 30 females and 3 males is recommended for initial translocations, while larger groups can be used to maintain genetic diversity.

SourcePenn State·JournalEndangered Species Research·DateMar 19, 2020

Associations between vaspin levels and coronary artery disease

Low serum vaspin levels are associated with coronary artery stenosis, while plasma concentration reflects possible endothelial dysfunction in CAD patients and correlates with disease severity. Vaspin also associates with metabolic syndrome and obesity parameters.

SourceCardiovascular Innovations and Applications·JournalCardiovascular Innovations and Applications·DateMar 19, 2020

Study by international team of scientists investigates evolution during Cambrian Explosion

A new study by an international team of scientists reveals that the Cambrian Explosion was driven by abundant ecological opportunity early in life history. The researchers found that complex features become burdened by their own complexity, limiting evolutionary innovation. This discovery clarifies evolution and development during the ...

SourceUniversity of West Georgia·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 19, 2020

High-speed microscope captures fleeting brain signals

Researchers have developed a high-speed microscope that can image the brain of an alert mouse 1,000 times a second, capturing millisecond electrical pulses through neurons. This technique allows neuroscientists to track sub-threshold inputs and identify transmission problems associated with disease.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature Methods·DateMar 19, 2020

Researchers detail how antineutrino detectors could aid nuclear nonproliferation

Researchers have developed antineutrino detection technology to monitor nuclear reactors and detect plutonium production, providing high-level assurances of treaty compliance. The technology has potential applications in near-field and far-field monitoring, as well as verifying treaty compliance by tracking spent fuel.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalReviews of Modern Physics·DateMar 19, 2020

Nahum Arav part of team to discover quasar tsunamis

A team of astronomers led by Nahum Arav has discovered the most energetic outflows ever witnessed in the universe, which tear across interstellar space like cosmic tsunamis. These quasar outflows accelerate material to breathtaking velocities, carrying hundreds of solar masses of material each year and pushing galaxies' formation forward.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series·DateMar 19, 2020

Serum irisin: Pathogenesis and clinical research in cardiovascular diseases

Serum irisin is linked to various metabolic markers and may be a promising treatment for conditions like diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. Recent studies suggest irisin's pathogenesis plays a crucial role in the development of atherosclerosis.

SourceCardiovascular Innovations and Applications·JournalCardiovascular Innovations and Applications·DateMar 19, 2020

Parental diet affects sperm and health of future offspring

Research by RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research identifies ATF7 as essential for intergenerational effects on metabolic disorders, such as diabetes. The study found that a male mouse's diet influences the health of future children through epigenetic changes in sperm cells.

SourceRIKEN·JournalMolecular Cell·DateMar 19, 2020

Genetically engineering electroactive materials in living cells

Researchers developed a method to engineer specific populations of neurons to manufacture electronic-tissue composites within living cells. This approach enables targeted use of electrical fields for therapeutic applications, such as pain relief and tissue regeneration.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateMar 19, 2020

Loners help society survive, say Princeton ecologists

Researchers found that evolution can select for loner behavior in slime molds, which could provide an ecological insurance plan to ensure the survival of collective behavior. The study suggests that having some individuals stay out of the swarm may be part of the strategy of this organism.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 19, 2020

Graphene underpins a new platform to selectively ID deadly strains of bacteria

A Boston College-led team developed a graphene field effect transistor (G-FET) that selectively identifies deadly bacterial species Staphylococcus aureus and antibiotic-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. The rapid detection platform employs peptides to capture specific bacteria, allowing for fast and accurate diagnosis.

SourceBoston College·JournalBiosensors and Bioelectronics·DateMar 19, 2020

US sees sharp increase in hypertension-related deaths

Rates of deaths related to hypertension have risen sharply across the US, with a 72% increase in rural areas and a 20% increase in urban areas. High blood pressure can cause damage to arteries and lead to events such as heart attacks or strokes, emphasizing the importance of taking it seriously.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateMar 19, 2020

E-cigarette users had substances linked to bladder cancer in urine, review finds

Researchers found six substances with a strong link to bladder cancer in the urine of e-cigarette users, including carcinogens from combustion products and other tobacco products. The study's findings suggest that vaping may expose users to carcinogens similar to those found in cigarette smoke.

SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·JournalEuropean Urology Oncology·DateMar 19, 2020

Composite metal foams take the heat, move closer to widespread applications

Researchers at North Carolina State University have demonstrated that composite metal foams can withstand extreme temperatures, passing the simulated pool fire test with flying colors. The material's performance was predicted using a model developed by the team, which showed accurate results within 10 degrees Celsius.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalInternational Journal of Thermal Sciences·DateMar 19, 2020

The right dose of geoengineering could reduce climate change risks

A new study by UCL and Harvard researchers found that halving warming by adding aerosols to the stratosphere could moderate important climate hazards in almost all regions, with only a small fraction experiencing increased climate change. The approach should be considered as a complementary measure to emissions cuts.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateMar 19, 2020

New drug combination passes safety test in pancreatic cancer

A new study found that a novel peptide antagonist given in combination with a PD-1 inhibitor is safe and well-tolerated in patients with advanced, refractory pancreatic and rectal cancer. The highest dose tested resulted in no adverse events leading to the recommendation for use in future trials.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Pancreatic Cancer·DateMar 19, 2020

Seductive details inhibit learning

A meta-analysis of 58 studies involving over 7,500 students found that seductive details can lower learning outcome measures. The analysis suggests that students' attention is diverted towards irrelevant information, leading to decreased performance. However, good details can still engage students if they are pertinent to the topic.

SourceWashington State University·JournalEducational Psychology Review·DateMar 19, 2020

UC identifies populations most at risk of opiate addiction

Researchers found that white men between 30 and 39 are most at risk of fatal overdoses, followed by black men ages 30 to 39. The study identified 12 clusters or hot zones across Ohio where opiate-related mortalities are highest.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 19, 2020

Nature-inspired green energy technology clears important development hurdle

A team of scientists has developed a nature-inspired design for artificial photosynthesis, capable of generating large sources of renewable energy using CO2. The system consists of nanoscale tubes that mimic the structure of living photosynthetic cells, allowing for efficient conversion of sunlight into fuel.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateMar 19, 2020

NTU scientists transform ultra-tough pollen into flexible material

Scientists at NTU Singapore have developed a way to turn pollen into soft and flexible microgel particles, which could serve as building blocks for new eco-friendly materials. The resulting pollen-based particles show promise for applications such as wound dressing, prosthetics, and implantable electronics.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 19, 2020

Nurse practitioner clinical settings key to delivery of patient-centered care

A new study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing found that organizational supports for nurse practitioners enhance their ability to deliver patient-centered care. NPs working in good practice environments were more likely to integrate patient preferences into care compared to those in mixed or poor environments.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalThe Journal for Nurse Practitioners·DateMar 19, 2020